The photo shows us, from left to right, Jérémie Aubé, P.Eng., President, Eastern Section New Brunswick and PEI, Canadian Society for Civil Engineering (CSCE); Samuel Richard, P.Eng., Vice-President, Atlantic Section, CSCE; Kevin Vigneau-Chiasson, President of the Student Council of the Faculty of Engineering; Marc-Antoine Chiasson, President of L'alUMni; Yvon Lapierre, Mayor of the City of Dieppe; Bernard Lord, Evolution Fundraiser Co-Chair; Bernard LeBlanc, curator at the Musée acadien; Gilles Hébert, retired teacher and instigator of the project; Raymond Théberge, President and Vice-Chancellor; the Honorable Jocelyne Roy Vienneau, Lieutenant Governor of New Brunswick; Ronald Vienneau; Gilles Roy, Dean of the Faculty of Engineering; Alistair MacKenzie, Chair of the CSCE History Committee; Linda Schofield, Executive Director of University Relations, Philanthropic Development and Evolution fundraising campaign.

A permanent exhibit entitled L’aboiteau : un ouvrage d’ingénierie pour construire
l’Acadie (“The aboiteau: a work of engineering for building Acadie”) was
unveiled today during the second Rendez-vous event organized by L’alUMni, the
Université de Moncton’s alumni association.

The oldest aboiteau slab preserved in Acadie is part of the exhibit located on the first
floor of the engineering faculty. Discovered in Grand-Pré, Nova Scotia, and dating from
1689, the item is of great importance to the world of Acadian engineering. Based on
estimates, the item dates back to the early beginnings of the village of Grand-Pré
founded in 1682. The artifact is on long-term loan from the Nova Scotia Museum.

“It is a privilege for us to welcome this artifact to the Université de Moncton,”
said Raymond Théberge, President and Vice-Chancellor. “We are proud to offer the
opportunity to faculty of engineering students to examine this piece of Acadian history
which will certainly inspire them to pursue their careers in this fascinating area. I also
invite citizens to come see this piece of history.”

“We welcome this project with great pride,” said Gilles C. Roy, dean of the
engineering faculty. “It serves as a vivid historic example of engineering in Acadie.
Some people say that the aboiteaux could represent the most ancient works of engineering
in Canada. The recognition of the Acadian aboiteaux as a Canadian Society for Civil
Engineering national historic site is due in large part to the tireless work of several
Acadian engineers, especially Gilles Hébert, a retired professor from the faculty of
engineering.”

“As an Acadian city, it’s important for us in the City of Dieppe to preserve our
heritage,” said Mayor Yvon Lapierre. “We also undertook a project this fall to promote
local aboiteaux, including an observation site along the Trans Canada Trail near the area
of Pointe-aux-Renards Street. By contributing to this aboiteau exhibit at the Université
de Moncton, we are further strengthening our desire to promote the history of Acadians and
the cultural importance of their legacy.”

The City of Dieppe has also contributed to this project thanks to a generous donation to
the Université de Moncton through the Evolution Fundraising Campaign, which has
already raised $25 million – or 50% of its goal. To date the scholarships and financial
aid program has received nearly half the donations with $12,315,000. Another important
area for donations is in the area of research – where $11,365,570 has been raised for
the university’s major projects; while $700,500 has been raised for the hub of
excellence in Acadian studies and $500,000 has been raised through the campaign for the
New Brunswick Centre for Precision Medicine. As well, $118,930 has been raised for the
modernization of facilities.

To donate to the Université de Moncton or for more information on making a donation,
please contact the philanthropic development office at (506) 858-4130 or 1-888-362-1144,
by email at developpement@umoncton.ca or
visit the website at www.umoncton.ca/dons/en/home.